Belvedere

The view is stunning. It’s sad to see the hotel closed.

Fantastic panorama.

The hotel was tidy and clean, with plenty of hand-sanitizer dispensers, though people didn’t pay much attention to the indoor mask requirement. The internal elevator was a plus. The TV in the room was about the size of a laptop screen. Also, the view of Lake Lugano isn’t from the hotel itself; you have to walk five minutes to a square at the end of the street. The family running the place were so friendly and courteous, easily worth five stars on that front. The retro style may or may not be your thing, and that’s not a criticism in itself, but the fixtures, curtains, carpeting, facade and sign all need refreshing. Keeping a '70s look is a choice; keeping the place in good condition is part of looking after customers. The menu was recited verbally, with two first courses and two second courses to choose from. The food was good but basic, without the distinctive character and typical flavours I’d expect in a place like this. Table service felt rushed, like they wanted to clear us out quickly. On checkout morning, my suitcase was still in the room and I still had the key. We went back upstairs after breakfast and found the maids already cleaning. Checkout time hadn’t passed. When I said I needed to finish packing and use the bathroom, they stayed in the room, kept stripping the bed, and practically ignored me. August 2021.

We spent one night here with our son. It was quiet and peaceful, and the place was fairly clean, though the decor had an '80s feel and the mattresses were springy. The staff were friendly and helpful, but breakfast was poor and below what we expected. The bathroom had no shower, or even a wall hook for a spray bottle. We also asked them to provide breakfast for two friends, which they agreed to for €20. That felt steep for two cappuccinos and two croissants. It seems like a true 2-star hotel these days, and I don’t think we’ll return.